Pastor Matters

This summer we are highlighting some of your favorite podcasts from the past year! In this episode of Pastor Matters, the podcast team welcomes HB Charles Jr., author and veteran pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Orange Park, Florida, about the intricacies of pastoral ministry. They discuss the importance of preaching, the challenges of counseling, the significance of mentorship, and...

In this episode, the Pastor Matters team discusses the challenges of recruiting volunteers in the local church, emphasizing the importance of personal engagement and effective communication. They explore the reasons behind volunteer apathy, the need for training and support, and the significance of celebrating volunteers' contributions. The conversation highlights strategies for effective recruitm...

This summer we are highlighting some of your favorite podcasts from the past year! In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Robert Smith, Jr., shares his journey in preaching, emphasizing the importance of sermon preparation, internalization, and the role of the Holy Spirit. He discusses his early experiences, the evolution of his preaching style, and offers practical advice for young preachers. Thi...

In this episode, the Pastor Matters team discusses the importance of evangelism and the authority of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. They explore various miracles performed by Jesus, emphasizing the transformation that occurs in individuals' lives when they encounter Him. The conversation highlights the need for believers to maintain a sense of wonder and amazement about Jesus, as familiarity can lea...

Podcast Highlight - Pastor Well with Hershael York - EP159 by Center for Preaching & Pastoral Leadership

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Lawless, Caleb Iversen, and Zac Menser discuss the significance of silence and solitude in ministry, exploring the challenges of productivity and the importance of finding rest in Christ. They emphasize the need for pastors to prioritize time alone with the Lord, share practical steps for incorporating silence and solitude into daily routines, and reflect on...

This summer we are highlighting some of your favorite podcasts from the past year! Dr. Jonathan Pennington, author and professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Seminary, discusses preaching the Gospels and the key themes and emphasis of each Gospel. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the Gospels as narrative and shares his approach to preaching through the Gospels. We hope th...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, we are joined by Alistair Begg, pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio. We are also joined by Benjamin Quinn, Associate Professor of Theology SEBTS and the Director of the Center for Faith and Culture at SEBTS. We explore Dr. Begg's journey into pastoral ministry, the importance of cultural awareness in preaching, and the necessity of reading widely. Dr. Be...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, we welcome Dr. Landon Dowden, lead pastor of Hebron Church in Dacula, GA, as a new member of the preaching faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We explore Dr. Dowden’s Christian journey, the impact of his seminary education, and the influence of Dr. Jim Shaddix. They discuss the importance of expository preaching, the value of pursuing advanced d...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Alistair Begg shares insights from his 42 years of pastoral ministry at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He discusses the importance of endurance in ministry, balancing family life with church responsibilities, and the lessons learned over a lifetime of ministry. Dr. Begg also offers practical advice for young pastors on sermon preparation. His reflections...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, we are joined by Jeremy Linneman, lead teaching pastor of Trinity Community Church in Columbia, Missouri. Prior to planting Trinity, he spent seven years as a staff pastor of Sojourn Church in Louisville, Kentucky. We discuss his new book "Pour Out Your Heart: Discovering Joy, Strength, and Intimacy with God through Prayer." We explore personal experiences with p...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, we are joined by Jordan Cobb, pastor of Standing Springs Baptist Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina. We discuss the importance of improving preaching skills over the course of your ministry. Jordan shares his personal journey, the joys of preaching, and offers advice for both experienced and aspiring pastors. We hope this episode is encouraging to you today!...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, we are joined by Steven McKinion, director of PhD and ThM Studies and Professor of Theology and Patristic Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. McKinion shares insights from his and Scott Hildreth's upcoming book, 'Serving Jesus Without Burning Out,' emphasizing the need for healthy relationships and spiritual disciplines in the life of a past...

In this episode of Pastor Matters we are joined by Ben Mandrell, the 10th president of Lifeway. Ben shares insights from his new Bible study, "Together," which aims to foster community and connection among church members, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss the significance of being involved in a local church, the necessity of vulnerability and authenticity in ministry...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, the team introduces a relevant resource for pastors from Dr. Scott Hildreth. Dr. Hildreth is an Associate Professor of Missiology and Associate Dean of Ministry Studies at SEBTS. He shares his journey to faith, his passion for evangelism and missions, and insights from his upcoming book, 'A Short Guide to Evangelism and Missions.' He emphasizes the importance of...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, the podcast team welcomes HB Charles Jr., author and a veteran pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Orange Park, Florida, about the intricacies of pastoral ministry. They discuss the importance of preaching, the challenges of counseling, the significance of mentorship, and the necessity of balancing family life with ministry responsibilities. HB shares...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, the team welcomes Chris Thompson, Associate Vice President for Academic Administration at SEBTS, and Mark Vance, Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa, to discuss college ministry. Mark Vance shares his personal journey into ministry, the structure and vision of Cornerstone Church and the Salt Network, and the strategies employed in each Salt Company to...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Alan Mosley, Senior Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, at Southeastern Seminary, discusses his journey into Old Testament studies and the challenges of preaching from the Old Testament, touching on key themes, the role of archaeology, and common errors in interpretation. Dr. Mosley also shares how pastors can effectively teach their congregations to engag...

Dr. Lawless, Caleb Iversen and Zac Menser explore the characteristics of disciple-making churches, recognizing how intentionality in leadership, the role of small groups, and the need for a structured discipleship pathway are best practices. The podcast team shares personal experiences and insights on how churches can effectively nurture spiritual growth and foster a culture of discipleship among...

In this episode, Dr. Chuck Lawless reflects on 45 years of ministry experience, discussing the importance of mentorship, the pain of church leadership, impactful books, and the joy found in preaching. The conversation also touches on understanding one's calling in ministry and the future challenges of pastoral leadership in a changing cultural landscape. Young pastors and seasoned pastors are sure...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Chuck Lawless and Caleb Iversen talk with Dr. Al Jackson, a long-time pastor with a deep commitment to missions. They explore the roots of Dr. Jackson's missionary passion, local church engagement in missions, and the challenges faced in promoting a mission-focused culture. Dr. Jackson shares insights from his pastoral journey, emphasizing the need for churches t...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Kristin Kellen, Associate Professor of Biblical Counseling and co-author of "The Gospel for Disordered Lives" discusses biblical counseling, the role of pastors in counseling, and how to equip church leaders and laypersons for effective counseling. The conversation covers various resources available for training, self-care for counselors, and the need for col...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, hosts Caleb Iversen and Zac Menser welcome back Tom Elliff to explore the significance of sermon illustrations in preaching. They discuss how illustrations convey deeper truths, how to craft effective illustrations, and the balance between personal stories and biblical messages. Tom emphasizes that the ultimate goal of illustrations is to enhance understanding an...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, our hosts welcome Dr. Tom Elliff who shares his extensive experience in preaching and sermon preparation. He discusses personal preparation, the necessity of being in tune with God before delivering a message, and the process of familiarizing oneself with the text. He also talks about finding one's unique voice in the pulpit. Young pastors and seasoned pastors al...

In this episode of Pastor Matters, Dr. Robert Smith, Jr., shares his journey in preaching, emphasizing the importance of sermon preparation, internalization, and the role of the Holy Spirit. He discusses his early experiences, the evolution of his preaching style, and offers practical advice for young preachers. This interview is sure to help every preacher improve on crafting sermons. We hope thi...